From industrial office to green framework for contemporary work.
Built in 1980 as the headquarters of Eurometaal, Building 504 once formed the administrative core of a vast industrial complex dedicated to production and engineering. After the closure of Eurometaal in 2003, the building remained behind as a robust yet introverted relic—detached from the landscape that gradually reclaimed the Hembrugterrein.
Buro Loof was commissioned to transform this former office into a contemporary workplace. Not by overwriting its identity, but by reactivating it—reconnecting the building to its surroundings and aligning it with the increasingly green character of the site.
The intervention starts from what is already there. The existing structure, clear, rational, and robust forms the foundation. Its façade, defined by a strong horizontal rhythm of brick bands and continuous window strips, is carefully preserved and subtly refined. New window divisions introduce a more articulated scale, establishing a dialogue with the surrounding buildings, many of which date back to around 1900. The building shifts from being an isolated object to becoming part of a larger ensemble.
A new layer is added at the top. The former technical installations make way for a lightweight rooftop volume, defined by a rhythm of slender vertical fins. This structure is not only architectural: it acts as a framework for climbing plants and offers shelter from the wind. A continuous band of greenery wraps the roof edge, softening the transition between old and new. Over time, this living layer introduces seasonal change and movement, contrasting with the static, industrial geometry below.
The rooftop itself becomes an inhabited garden. It is designed as an elevated landscape for daily use offering space for work, meeting, and informal occupation. Planting beds, filtered light, and framed views create a sheltered microclimate, transforming the roof into a collective outdoor workspace.
Inside, the building is opened up and reorganized into flexible office floors. Generous daylight and panoramic views of the surrounding greenery redefine the working environment, bringing the landscape deep into the building. The spatial strategy prioritizes adaptability, allowing the building to evolve over time.
Eurometaal
Category
Office
Location
Zaandam
3.500m²
Size
2026
Year
2015 Shortlist Gulden Feniks
Recognitions
